Judge praises brave mother
‘He could have killed his mother. She is a very brave woman to tell what happened,’ Judge Jones has remarked.
He was speaking after sentencing Darren Fox (19) to two months in jail when he pleaded guilty to charges relating to a drugs-fuelled attack on his mother in her home.
Fox admitted assaulting Patricia Fox, contravening a safety order, and two counts of criminal damage to a bedroom door and car windscreen at 40 Rowan Heights, Marley’s Lane, Drogheda.
He also pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis herb at Drogheda garda station on the same date, 25 September last.
After hearing from Mrs Fox and her son, the judge had refused bail and remanded the defendant in custody to Cloverhill court on 3 October.
However, Darren Fox then offered pleas of guilty to the charges and the case proceeded.
Sgt Fintan McGroder said that at 8.50pm on 25 September last, Fox pushed his mother to the ground and kicked her all over the body.
He boxed her to the side of the head and shouted at her to stop screaming before throwing her on a couch in the kitchen and starting to choke her.
She pleaded with him to stop and he told her to get up the stairs, seeming to derive enjoyment from it, the sergeant continued. Fox smashed a bedroom window. Mrs Fox managed to escape and get into her car. The accused followed and threatened to kill her. She drove away, and later was attended by the doctor on call.
Darren Fox was subsequently arrested in Rathmullen, and later found to have €25-worth of cannabis herb on him.
He has three previous convictions, and his solicitor Eleanor Kelly said all this is as a result of drug-taking.
He started at 14 and then smoked heroin while in custody.
Fox had been sober since December. He smokes cannabis on a regular basis which has no effect on him but he is ‘different on tablets’, the solicitor continued.
He apologises for his behaviour and gives an undertaking to stay away from his mother. He is on €107 per-week social welfare. He needs help, said Ms. Kelly.
The judge imposed a two-month sentence and granted legal aid.